April 9, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 9 APRIL 1942

AVG: In the early morning, a small formation of Japanese fighters, identified as one Ki-43 and four Ki-27s, strafed Loiwing Airfield. Five P-40s suffered some damage but none got off the ground although some RAF Hurricanes were scrambled.

Burma: Burma I Corps is now disposed to defend oil fields, on general line Minhla-Taungdwingyi, a 40 mile front. Chinese are not in position to support corps because of a series of contradictory orders.

RAF: Intercepting the Japanese air raid, lost are two Fulmars shot down.

5th Air Force: By the afternoon, installation of axillary fuel tanks and leak tests for eleven B-25C Mitchells for the upcoming Royce Mission are completed at Archerfield Airfield. 2nd Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 22nd Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Townsville to Reid River with B-26s. 7th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) transfers from Bankstown to Batchelor Field with P-40's; they have been in combat since March 14, 1942.

U.S. Army: At 3:30am on Bataan, emissaries for Major General Edward P. King under a white flag depart for the Japanese lines to arrange for surrender. At 1230pm Major General Edward P. King surrenders the Luzon Force unconditionally at Limay. This was the largest surrender of a U.S. military force in history. The voice of Freedom radio station makes its last broadcast in the Philippines, saying, "Bataan has fallen, but the spirit that made it stand... cannot fail." Afterwards, a grim march of American and Filipino Prisoners Of War (POWs) begins from Balanga to San Fernando follows that will become known as the Battan Death March.

Japanese Army: After the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula Japanese aircraft now concentrate soley on Corregidor and for the first time since end of March, attack in force. Japanese artikkery emplaced at Cabcaben on the Bataan Peninsula begin bombardment of Corregidor. Meanwhile, on Cebu the U.S. garrison is placed on alert as enemy flotilla is spotted.

U.S. Navy: Gunboat USS Mindanao (PR-8) rescues soldiers attempting to escape from Bataan to Corregidor.

U.S. Navy facilities at Mariveles are demolished to prevent enemy use: Navy forces scuttle submarine tender USS Canopus (AS-9), minesweeper Bittern (AM-36), tug Napa (AT-32), and drydock Dewey. Ferry launches San Felipe (YFB-12), Camia (YFB-683), and Dap Dap (YFB-684), and Canopus motor launches, evacuate men and equipment to Corregidor.

Submarine USS Snapper (SS-185) delivers food to Corregidor.

Motor torpedo boats PT-34 and PT-41 engage Japanese light cruiser Kuma and torpedo boat Kiji in a running fight off Cape Tanon, the southern tip of Cebu, P.I.; Kuma is hit by a dud torpedo and machine gun fire. Later that same day, PT-34 is bombed and strafed by floatplanes from Japanese seaplane carrier Sanuki Maruand beached off Cauit Island, P.I., 10°16'N, 123°52'E. A second bombing and strafing attack by Sanuki Maru's planes destroys PT-34, which suffers two dead and three wounded from her six-man crew in the action.

IJN: Japanese Operation C continues: carrier striking force under Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi launch a strike against Trincomalee on Ceylon (Sri Lanka) which has been cleared of shipping in expectation of the attack. Notwithstanding the precautions taken by the British, Japanese D3A Val dive bombers attack the ships they find returning to Trincomalee and sink HMS Hermes (95), HMAS Vampire (D68), corvette HMS Hollyhock, depot ship HMS Athelstane and RFA oiler British Sergeant and Norwegian SS Norviken. Japanese losses are four D3A Vals plus five damaged. After recovering the carrier aircraft, Nagumo's force withdraws eastward bound for the Singapore Strait.

USMC: Navy and Marines escape Bataan to Corregidor over the next several days are assinged to the 4th Marines on Corregidor and formed into a reserve battalion designated the 4th Battalion, 4th Marines.